By: Jamie Fettkether
President, Construction
One would think that after millions of layoffs during the Great Recession that there would be plenty of workers available to meet the growing demand for construction. But the opposite is true.
The industry is facing a shortage of available workers at a time when construction demand is exploding. The number of unemployed construction workers is at a 14-year low, according to federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Construction employment expanded in 249 of our 358 metro areas, between March 2014 and March 2015. The AGC also reported that 83 percent of contractors are struggling to find enough qualified skilled labor.
Many of the workers who lost their jobs during the economic downturn either switched careers or retired. The industry hasn’t recruited and trained near enough new workers to replace those lost, and the situation likely won’t improve anytime soon.

CHICAGO, November 2, 2015 – CCIM Institute, one of the largest commercial real estate networks in the world with chapters in 50 states and seven global markets, announced its new 2016 leadership team at the organization’s annual conference in Austin, Texas, Oct. 30.
David P. Wilson, CCIM, executive vice president at Lockard Companies in Cedar Falls, Iowa, was elected to serve as 2016 First Vice President of CCIM Institute. “I am honored and humbled to be able to serve in this leadership role with this great organization,” Wilson says. “I’m excited about what lies ahead and will give 100 percent to help elevate our members to the highest levels of success in commercial real estate.”
Earning his CCIM designation in 2002, he has been moved up from leadership positions at the CCIM Iowa Chapter to a wide range of national CCIM committees. Currently, Wilson serves on the CCIM Institute Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Foundation Board of Directors. Additionally, he is a graduate of the prestigious Jay W. Levine Leadership Development Academy, which offers a nine-month intensive program through CCIM Institute.